Can we exchange numbers?

And other thoughts on friendship and how to keep living when the world is on fire

Welcome to Walk & Talk, my monthly newsletter to share stories, inspiration, and hope. I’m Kim Knowle-Zeller, mama, pastor, and writer. I’ve lived in West Africa and one summer hiked 500 miles across Spain, and now I call Cole Camp, MO home with my husband, two children, and dog. I love to walk, talk, and share stories. Thanks for being here!

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I want to tell you about one recent meal — a second annual Friendsgiving. I want to tell you how the weather changed and we were met with cold winds and falling leaves. We heard the crunch of gravel driving on country roads. I want to tell you how the kids shed their shoes immediately when they entered the front door and headed to the basement full of toys. How they can ask any parent for help and know they’ll be cared for. I want to tell you about the countertops loaded with food, board games at the dining room table, and a craft station by the window. I want to tell you about each of our friends and how we’ve lived in different states but all find ourselves in this place right now.

I’d also want to make sure you know that three years ago, if we did this same gathering, my son would have been on my lap too nervous to engage with others. Now, he’s first to run and play and ask to hold the babies. I’d have to tell you about the text threads over the years about rashes and sickness and ideas for feeding our picky eaters and how much do we push with homework and invitations to meet at the park and the pool. I’d love to tell you how we have showed up for one another with meals and prayers and flowers from our gardens.

I want to tell you that at this meal we don’t have the same worldviews or beliefs, but we do love our children and we’ve come to love one another, differences and all.

I think, though, to really tell you about this meal on a Saturday in October, I’d tell you it began with a hello and how are you and are you new here? And finally can we exchange numbers?

It began with meeting our neighbors.

I want to tell you about this because I believe deeply that when the world feels as if it’s on fire, when violence and war wreak havoc and lives are lost and families are wrenched from one another and the land is being torched, I want to share another way.

No, I need to know there is another way.
A way rooted in care and connection.
A way of seeing neighbors as beloved.
A way of talking through differences and offering forgiveness.

Yes, there is so much uncertainty — across the world and across your living room.
Yes, there is pain — found in gunfire and explosions in war torn countries and in the house next door.
Yes, there is loss — Israel, Palestine, Maine, Ukraine and in your hearts and homes.

We cry out Lord Have Mercy and offer sighs too deep for words.

But, we keep living.

We love our families in front of us so we can love the families across the world. We get out into the community and meet our neighbors. We ask questions and listen. We receive and offer forgiveness.

Gathering with a group of friends and caring for one another isn’t going to save the world, but why not act like it can; and see how the smallest bits of light can illuminate the darkness.

Now it’s your turn, I’d love to hear what you have to tell me.

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A few other things I want to tell you

Speaking of friends, we spent our second Halloween trick-or-treating in town driving around on the back of a trailer. Pure joy for all the kids! I wrote a piece on community for Living Lutheran and how “every Halloween it feels like we experience the best of community—greetings of joy, welcoming one another and open doors.”

I made these bakery style chocolate chip muffins for our Friendsgiving and my kids are already asking when I’ll make them again.

A Blessing for the Haunted —

If your soul aches for this world
for those whose names are unknown
and stories untold
you are not alone.

I had a poem featured in

Part-Time Poets

(these ladies are putting together powerful words every month and I was delighted to share my own take on Masks).

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Walking Diaries

The first Walking Diaries post by

Sarah Bahiraei

reflects on a walk she took with her family in Turkey searching for what is true and good, and how God holds all things together.

Later this month I’ll be sharing the next walking diary. If you’d like to write your own post on a walk you took, hit replay and let me know!

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A Blessing for November

As the leaves fall
and the air turns crisp
as the ground prepares for rest
and the light grows less
November reminds us —
we are not alone.

Today, on All Saints
we recognize the saints among us
feasting at our tables
dancing in our aisles
singing to the heavens
we are not alone.

On All Saints
we remember those who have died
whose spirits and souls comfort us
give us a moment to pause, and reflect
grant us moments to feel your presence
to open ourselves to the connections
between this world and the next.

May we remember to be saints
help us seek your light in all that we do
and in all that we say
offering your grace and hope
to those stumbling for healing and grace
to the neighbor in need of a listening ear
to the friend seeking forgiveness
and a world in need of peace
give us a moment to breathe and reflect
to open ourselves to the wideness of your mercy. 

Be with us Lord
now and forever
this month and the next
day after day
walking and guiding us
loving and calling us
showing us the way.

Amen.

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So grateful for you, friend! I’ll be back in your inboxes the first Wednesday in December!

P.S. I have a favor for those of you who have read The Beauty of Motherhood. Would you be willing to write an Amazon review? They are so helpful for getting others to know about our book! Anyone can review on Amazon whether you’ve bought the book from them or not. Thank you!